Whinhill Orchard, Stanhoe - 5th December 2025

 A reconnaissance visit to see whether there are winter thrushes on the windfalls. We weren't expecting much as there are so many berries on hawthorns just about everywhere, and incoming migrants have a great deal to eat without moving far from the coast. We still decided to have a look as there was a ground frost over night and apples on the ground.

The nets were put up under the gaze of the Cold moon, the last super moon of the year. 

Cold moon over the orchard.

We heard a few Fieldfare around but apart from a group that dropped in briefly then moved on, there was little actively feeding in the orchard. Blackbirds were very few and far between. We heard a single Redwing.

We only just made it into double figures, seven Greenfinch was a real bonus and we did manage to catch one Fieldfare, somehow.

3 male Greenfinch (above) with 4 female below.

4F Fieldfare

If it gets colder the orchard might come into its own later, as long as there are birds around.

Total: 10

Chaffinch - 1
Dunnock - 1
Fieldfare - 1
Greenfinch - 7

A farm in North Norfolk - 3rd December 2025

A rather disappointing day, only 17 birds captured. The early mist didn't help and the best thing about the morning was probably listening to the sound of the seals carrying from Blakeley Point.

Total: 12 (7)

Blue Tit - 1 (1)
Dunnock - 1
Long-tailed Tit - 0 (1)
Reed Bunting - 6 (2)
Robin - 3 (1)
Wren - 1

Titchwell - 2nd December 2025

We spent the morning at Titchwell and started off on the meadow trail looking for Firecrest and Chiffchaff. We got side tracked by news that the Bittern was showing well at Patty's Pool and had really good views.

We managed to find two Firecrest and several Chiffchaffs including at least one very pale 'tristis' individual.

There were plenty of Robins prepared to get close, used to visitors picnicking and offering crumbs.